Registration Opens for WebWise 2013

Washington, DC—Registration is now open for the Institute of Museum and Library Services’ (IMLS) WebWise Conference, which will take place March 6-8 at the Renaissance Baltimore Harborplace in Baltimore, MD. WebWise 2013 will feature a new format that allows for more discussion, learning, and connecting with potential partners and collaborators.

A signature initiative of IMLS, the WebWise Conference annually brings together representatives of museums, libraries, archives, systems science, education, and other fields to explore the many opportunities made possible by digital technologies. WebWise highlights recent research and innovations in digital technology, explores their potential impacts on library and museum services, and promotes effective museum and library practices in a digital environment. It also provides recipients of technology-based grants from the Institute with an opportunity to showcase their exemplary projects. George Mason University’s Roy Rosenzweig Center for History and New Media (CHNM) is helping to organize the conference.

WebWise 2013 will focus on the theme "Putting the Learner at the Center." This year, WebWise will steal a page from participant-driven "unconferences" and THATCamps and feature a participatory and interactive format. The new format extends last year’s successful WiseCamp pre-conference and responds to conference participants’ calls for more hands-on and collaborative sessions by featuring participant-chosen workshops, project demonstrations, project incubation working groups, and lightning talks, all designed to foster opportunities for collaboration and learning. For example:

Workshops: Want to learn a new digital skill? Through the use of an online tool called IdeaScale, participants will have an opportunity to help shape the conference agenda by submitting workshop topics, voting on existing topics, or adding comments. Workshops could include how to participate in the Digital Public Library of America or create online collections; the topics will be up to you.

Project Demonstrations: Learn from nine exemplary projects in extended demonstration sessions with time for audience questions and in-depth discussions.

Project/Partnership Incubator: Participate in small working sessions to connect, hatch new ideas, and work with potential collaborators.

Sharing: Share results from small groups, be inspired by the keynote speaker, and leave WebWise with excitement and actionable to-dos to implement at your home institution.

About the Institute of Museum and Library Services
The Institute of Museum and Library Services is the primary source of federal support for the nation's 123,000 libraries and 17,500 museums. Our mission is to inspire libraries and museums to advance innovation, lifelong learning, and cultural and civic engagement. Our grant making, policy development, and research help libraries and museums deliver valuable services that make it possible for communities and individuals to thrive. To learn more, visit http://www.imls.gov or follow @US_IMLS on Twitter.